The mum of a brave Fife boy who beat cancer twice will help lead Scotland’s first March On Cancer event
Rosyth mum of two Brenda Duncan will share her 11-year-old son Noah’s remarkable story of courage with the crowd at the sponsored night-time walk in Edinburgh this Saturday.
The event is part of Stand Up To Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
Scotland’s capital is one of just 15 cities simultaneously hosting a march.
Brenda is determined to rally Fifers to the cause to give more families more tomorrows.
Her son Noah was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, orbital rhabdomyosarcoma, in 2009 after tests at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh revealed he had a marble-sized tumour behind his left eye.
Noah was given chemotherapy and radiotherapy but the cancer returned in 2012 and sadly he lost his left eye in a life-saving operation.
Just six days later, Noah ran in the kids’ race at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.
Since then the primary seven Kings Road pupil, who is cancer free, hasn’t looked back even winning the Cornwell Scout badge.
Noah, who lives with parents Brenda and Aaron and sister Hannah, became only the third youngster in Scotland to receive the badge since 1958.
Brenda said: “I’m going to stand up to cancer as at the time of Noah’s diagnosis my husband and I felt pretty alone.
“I’ll be at the March on Cancer to show the parents of youngsters with cancer that they’re not alone.
“There are plenty of people out there who will stand shoulder to shoulder with them to get them through it.
“Taking part in the March On Cancer in Edinburgh is incredibly important.
“Hopefully it will show people that there is life after a cancer diagnosis and I’m determined to recruit others to the fight against this devastating disease.
“United we’re stronger than cancer so I’m urging people to join the March and make their voices heard.”
Starting at 7.30pm in Holyrood Park participants will march for 45 minutes through the streets accompanied by live music, films, entertainment and stories from people who’ve beaten cancer.
Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland Lisa Adams said: “We are delighted that Brenda is gearing up to March On Cancer this weekend.
“On one night, across 15 cities, tens of thousands of people will be united in a collective show of force.
“We’re calling on people across Scotland to march to remember those we’ve lost, march for those who are fighting, and march to celebrate the lives saved by research.”
More than £8 million was raised at the first Stand Up to Cancer event in 2012.
Sign up at www.standuptocancer.org.uk or register on the night.